THE SQUAD

After a sit down and evaluating the Squad, I realise i am missing a bit of firepower up front.

I feel I do have some good players and leader in Mulgrew and Graham, but feel another leader would be required. plus I have the odd injury which I'm not too keen on. - The Squad is quite varied though and 90% cover for most positions fills me with faint optimism

I feel the staff could do with a bit of a rocket up them to keep them on their toes, I won't be sacking them all, just mildy encouraging with a royal kick up their arses in some lovely circa 2002 Adidas Predator Mania's...
just to ensure this transition goes well, I've enlisted the help of this old battle hardened veteran

With big Ray involved in improving my defence and tactical awareness this bunch may go well.

Before I venture in the transfer market, ( Where I will aim to the as shrewd as Harry Redknapp the week before payday) I have found this young gentlemen with a 5 star potential.

Young Joe will be getting a run in pre season and a new 5 year contract to scare away the big clubs, or alternatively if he goes I'll get crazy Phil Jones style money for him.

Righty-ho.... of too the transfer market to find the next Cherno Samba and Freddie Adu..

Yorkshire

Solid folk , solid tea and solid defences!!

My games vs Doncaster and Bradford were frustrating and fruitless to an extant – two NO SCOREdraws with not a lot to write home about. – A goal disallowed vs Bradford late on makes the trip back to Lancashire more irritating

Our league position of 16th is not the heady heights I want to be at, and with 2 draws and a loss in the opening three games I feel the Venkys already peering through my office window with some apprehension!

In the two games, I pick up a nasty ankle twist to Jordan Mutch

Which infuriates me immensely – but in turn this will allow Mr Costello to strut his stuff in the league cup Vs Leicester

I set up against Leicester quite conservatively, but bring Craig Conway back into the squad, as with his high levels or flair, speed and creativity, hopefully he can make something happen against the big boys of the premier league.
On the same vein though, I need so start amassing points in the league (and pronto) before the Venky’s decide this Cumbrian needs returning to the fells. So I rotate the correct amount so I have a fully fit fully match ready squad for the upcoming league games Vs MK Dons and Fleetwood

Win …..I actually bloody Win

Leicester were solid and intense – but the guile of Mr Conway (creating an assist), plus an excellent contribution from the full squad – some of whom will definitely being considered for the next league games see me come out triumphant !

This is a key result in many ways:

· It fulfils and surpasses the boards requirements to make the 2nd round of the cup
· Puts all £5000 of prize money back into the coffers ( this immediately spent on a chippy tea for the full squad after this triumph)
· Gives me the opportunity to raise a little more cash when the Draw is made

And As the balls enter the bowl I watch with excitement and anticipation ……..

Neil Ruddock delves into the bowl like a hungry gannet and draws the mighty Blackburn from the pot.

The great hulking frame of Neville Southall Draws my opponents from the bowl and here it it.

CARABAO CUP 3rd Round

BLACKBURN ROVERS Vs ARSENAL

An excellent draw!

Home tie Vs Arsenal will ensure a packed house, and Mr Wenger will inevitably bring the U-12’s too so I could possible turn this lot over.

The squad look pleased too, and I return home from Ewood park quite pleased with the evenings work.

The Next League games however become more vital now Vs MK dons and Fleetwood as if I don’t do something here and pick up some points – I might be in the stands watching.

For now though I savour the cup victory and with the transfer window shutting.... I decide I'm happy with the squad and they can get me through to January .....I hope !!

Bank holiday bliss

After the Leicester victory and the great cup draw, we play top of the league MK Dons at home. There is a fizz around training and the guys go into the game with vim and vigour.

MK dons Start well, but playing a 4-5-1 with two ball winners in Evans and Smallwood, and David Jones (another loan signing) as a deep lying playmaker, the team completely boss the midfield
The classy Jones runs the game, but unfortunately decides to take a penalty after Steven Caulker is felled in the box

straight into row Z

Thanks David….

He does however respond with an assist and we go on to a tetchy 2-0 win

We weren’t great but this win catapults us to mid table and I can see the Venky’s disappear from my office window.

Up Next:

Checkatrade Trophy Stoke U’23’s

As the board deem this not of any importance, I rotate the usual amount. Youngsters, squad players and returning injured all fill the starting 11.

Stokes main attacking threat is Peter crouch who I admire as a player, as for a complete coat hanger of a man – he’s done extremely well in his career (Case in point: Mrs. Crouch)
I tell the team to mark Peter closely, to stand on his toes!

The team adhere to my instructions, with Peter being booked after 5 minutes, and dispose of the Potters in a very satisfying 3-1win

Crouch does however score for Stoke, and I give him some praise in the post-match press conference as I could see this giant becoming a Rover in the Jan window if Stoke continue to let him rot in the reserves. He’s minging, but he can put them away, something I need if I’m going to climb this league ladder

3 wins on the trot, and 4 days off until a game vs Fleetwood at home.

I settle down after the bank holiday on the eve of transfer deadline day with my phone at the ready ……
I decide unless something amazing comes up I will stick with my current squad. I put the feelers out for Crouch and Kenny Miller, both old and knackered but both proven.

Stoke tell me to go away promptly and Kenny Miller wants far too much money. I offer to batter and deep fry the money for Kenny but he deems it not enough to hop over Hadrian’s wall and down to Lancashire.

Consistently Inconsistent

After the debacle against Fleetwood we aim to regroup against Rochdale away - They sit in 20th place, but positions 20-14 are separated only by 4 points, so they Will be a tough opponent

I set the team up very balanced - with them being fragile I tell them to “retain possession” and I am not to concede any early goals live V Fleetwood

The game pans out well, and although very dull, we get back on the horse with a 2-1

The goals coming from: Marcus Antonsson Elliot Bennet

On the balance of play we probable merit the win, but a goal from Matty Done didn’t do the nerves any favours and I spend considerable time post-match letting the players know they are capable of great things if we just stick together

Rochdale's boss Keith Hill tries to get under my skin post-match saying we were lucky. I let him know he’s an absolute joke and he hasn’t got a clue …………………. Then scarper quick sharp onto the team coach

Training in the week goes well and I only focus on tactics and teamwork before the fixture against Scunthorpe Away.

Another tricky away fixture, but I am buoyed by the return of Craig Conway from injury. – He is promptly returned to the left wing

I set up4-5-1 with 2 ball winners and a trialling of David Jones as an advanced playmaker, it is not ideal for my attacking potency I am aiming to repeat my controlling performance from the previous weeks and sneak a goal and Escape from the East coast with a win.

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